Aus legislation to make Google, Fb pay for news in parliament next week

CANBERRA (Reuters) – Australia will introduce landmark legislation to force Alphabet’s Google and Facebook to pay publishers and broadcasters for content next week, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said on Friday.

Australia is on course to become the first country to require Facebook and Google to pay for news content, legislation that is being closely watched around the world.

“The bill will now be considered by the parliament from the week commencing 15 February 2021,” Frydenberg said in an emailed statement.